persephone

A couple of our working dogs need a muzzle in the yards...they get a bit nippy We say "come, put your helmet on"...and they are quite happy Our dogs are like 4kelpie's..the sheep work is great distraction..we just pop the muzzle on..and off they go. There are a few half hearted attempts to rub off the nasty thing... but work is much more interesting !

Good planning- unfortunately, sometimes a dog can still access a small bait If you are muzzling your dog in the 'bush'..please do NOT let it offlead!(keeping it onlead is safer in all respects) If it comes across a feral dog, or a stroppy kangaroo, it will have no defence. If it pushes thru scrub or old wire, muzzles can get hooked up If baits are done correctly ( which only happens sometmes ) they are buried and tagged... with uneaten ones collected and disposed of. Unfortunately, so many folks just drive round their property scattering poisoned chicken wingtips or eggs will-nilly Non- target species then collect the baits, and can transport them far from the intended area Camping with dogs requires a lot of pre planning and thought. Firstly - those nylon tube things are fine for dogs likely to bite whilst being vet treated or similar. for SHORT TERM use..as they do not allow a dog to pant and keep cool ;) Horrible things, IMO. The wire ones- depending on type, can be excellent. ..allowing the dog to open their jaw, pant & drink...but can be very open mesh...I haven't any experience with these ... The plastic 'basket' muzzle is one which I've used on my dogs.. soft. light, allows for good depth so as to let dog pant & drink... and , properly fitted, and with the extra slide in/out end piece, means no scrounging :p

...and it is how pups learn their manners

Not that I know of.... I agree with this

Sounds as if he is marking all his 'new' territory.

If someone is home with the dog, there are several things I can think of.. restricting the dog's access to only rooms with people in! using an 'umbilical' leash.. a 6 foot leash, attached to a human at all times. taking dog out every hour..and praising when he toilets Using a 'belly band'.. which is like a boob tube thingy..when the dog pees..it stays in the bellyband and is a bit uncomfortable It is a matter of being continually vigilant..and not allowing the dog a chance to make a mistake! it will be intensive work for a little while

...and I will say again...the more she learns NOW how to jump/climb, and solve the problems you give her by the use of boxes, etc... the more trouble you will have with her later, with any fence ..as she is learning that perseverance pays off What is the size difference in your two dogs?will she be larger than him in a few months?

Ah- ok

so, you don't have a secure yard? Where is your other dog during the day?

If she has dry food, and is sleeping in a heated house/room, she may well need water overnight.

Sounds like her colitis is playing up with the diet change???

Upset tummy, sore mouth, sore throat.. teeth problems...fever... could be any one of a few things

A hot dog- gulping icewater/crushed ice..I can understand the problem. Frozen kongs, 'iceblocks' ,etc... licked/chewed slowly...nowhere near the risk, IMO.

our dogs never have anal gland probs- they eat everything- bones/organs/some fur/wool/hair/ears..... plain meat/eggs and a smidge of sardine would definitely not provide any bulking/hardening constituents.

If she cannot do the things she enjoys, and is not eating well... you need to decide WHO you are keeping her alive for... is for you, or is it for her ? If she is generally happy and comfortable, then no need to decide just yet. If she is in pain, uncomfortable, and very restricted... then a decision needs to be made as to how much more suffering you will allow. it is very hard. I have done it many times...and I think it actually gets harder

Dogs are much like people- they snore/snort/cry/dream.... If it is constant noise, or is waking pup up ...see the vet. if it just occasional, and doesn't seem to bother the pup... just wait & see.

Hi- for a lab- I would recommend TURKEY wings & necks, segments of roo tails, and also whole chicken frames personally, I wouldn't worry about his jaw

The advice I would give is to follow the breeder's recommendations for the first week or so-puppy does not need to cope with different foods ,as well as a new environment ) ! then....gradually change puppy over to whatever food you decide on..whether it be a good quality dry, or a raw diet, or whatever

We never weigh our dogs regularly.. just go on the rib feel/look , basically. ours are kept lean..and seem to sometimes lose/gain over a 48 hour period- so it is always easy to tell

we feed mainly raw- and just continually adjust the amount according to the dog's condition ;) if they are working or look ribby- they get more.In Summer, and no work- they get less... on colder days, they get more..

at 4 mths old, she is capable, I'm sure, of ripping material, dislodging pegs, and chewing everything up ;) The pen needs to be such that she CANNOT ,EVER, find a way out. The more she learns to chew, move, undo barriers, the harder it will be to keep her contained..she will always be looking for a way out...as she has previously been rewarded for her hard work.

I am disappointed! Why can't we all have a model like Barkly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) Excellent work , Luke W

if you are away all day- there is no way you will be able to effectively train/discourage her. the pen needs to be higher and stronger.

for Griff......

she is obviously in a pen which is not high enough, or secure enough Once she has learnt that jumping/digging will get her rewards, well, yes, she will continue to do so unless the physical barriers are improved / If you intend for her to stay in a pen ...you will need to make it much more secure (and NOT by using cardboard boxes) The more she learns how to bypass temporary obstacles- the harder it will be for you to keep her contained